Killer Crown jumps a hurdle on his way to victory under Bryan Cooper© Photo Healy Racing
After winning the previous contest with Real Steel Bryan Cooper and Gigginstown House Stud doubled up in the Book Hospitality On Line Maiden Hurdle, as Killer Crow got off the mark on his second start over flights.
Trained by Willie Mullins the five-year-old son of Presenting won bumpers at Cork and Listowel before he was surprisingly beaten, when 4/9 favourite, on his debut over hurdles at Roscommon.
Sent off at 3/1 this afternoon he raced mainly in second before improving to lead on the approach to the third last.
He was pressed by Fine Article (7/4fav) as they entered the straight and when that one made a mistake at the last Killer Crow was handed the initiative and he kept on well to score by a length and three parts.
The aforementioned Paul Nolan trained ‘jolly’ had to settle for second on his hurdling debut while Keppols Queen (12/1) ran well to finish third, a further three and three parts of a length back under Robbie Power for Jessica Harrington.
Willie Mullins said afterwards: "He improved his jumping. He ran very free and Bryan said there was no pace. I was happy he was able to do that over that trip running freely. It was a good performance.
"We'll maybe go back to two miles with him for a novice hurdle. I don't think I'd want to go up in trip, it'll be that trip or shorter."
STEWARDS REPORT
The Stewards fined Alan Fleming, trainer, €350 for lodging a passport in respect of All You Need (FR), in which the vaccinations did not conform with the provisions of Rule 91. The Stewards allowed the horse to run on receipt of the trainer's written assurance that the vaccinations were in order.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
